MDC Changes Regulations for Fall Turkey Hunting
EDGEFIELD, S.C. – The proposed fall turkey hunting regulations changes that were open for public comment in February were finalized at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s recent commission meeting. The new regulation changes to the fall turkey season include a reduced bag limit from four birds to two, and fall turkey hunters—for both archery and firearms—will be required to purchase a fall turkey hunting permit. Turkeys will no longer be included in the archery-deer permit.
“Some turkey hunters concerned about the turkey decline have been seeking turkey regulations changes for several years,” said John Burk, NWTF district biologist for Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. “The changes approved by the commission will potentially reduce fall harvest opportunity by 50%. However, we also know that very few turkey hunters shot more than two in the fall under the previous regulations. The good news is that fall turkey hunters will still have the opportunity to turkey hunt for the same amount of time and will still be able to harvest two turkeys if desired without any threat of negatively impacting the population.”
According to MDC, the changes to fall turkey hunting regulations aim to reduce the fall harvest while maintaining as much opportunity for hunters as possible. The MDC gave initial approval to the regulation changes at its December open meeting. The changes were then open for public comment from Feb. 2 through March 2. The commission gave final approval to the changes at its April 5 open meeting in Rolla.
In addition, the commission previously approved MDC changes to shooting hours for the regular spring turkey season. Shooting hours are extended for private land only to a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Shooting hours on public land will remain a half-hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. These changes are effective for the spring 2024 turkey season. The annual youth spring turkey hunting portion of the season will continue to have extended shooting hours from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset for both public and private land.
Learn more about turkey hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $9 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.